The inaugural Partnerships for Latino Education Success forum launched in Los Angeles on April 8, 2011, gathering leading education experts, advocates, local elected officials, and practitioners at California State University, Dominguez Hills. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan provided a recorded welcome message for the more than 100 people in attendance.

Today, Hispanics represent one in three entrants into the U.S. labor force and are expected to be half of all new workers by 2025. With the high school dropout rate for Hispanics at nearly 20 percent – more than three times the comparable rate for non-Hispanic whites -- the forums worked to examine the unique education challenges facing young Latinos, define the barriers to higher education attainment, and identify best practices for addressing these to help reach President Obama's national goal of 60 percent college attainment rate by 2025.

"Over the last two decades, the global economy has changed dramatically," said Rep. Laura Richardson (CA-37). "It now demands a college educated workforce with the skills to succeed in the Information Age. Our economic future relies on increased college completion within the Hispanic community."

The partnership will host future forums in Washington, D.C. during CHCI's 2011 Public Policy Conference and in New York in the fall, expanding the conversation beyond the education community and discussing the roles of other important stakeholders that will be critical in achieving the 60 percent goal, such as philanthropic foundations, corporate America, small businesses, and media and entertainment, among others.

"From leading non-profits to the federal government, to think tanks and school boards, to teachers and parents, to employers large and small in all sectors - everyone must be invested and not only grasp the urgency of this issue, but take bold actions today to stall if not avert the future collapse of the U.S. workforce and our global competitiveness," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO. "Success means that each and every one of us understands the imperative and invests in the country's future."

About CHCI CHCI is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) leadership development organization in the country that educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services. CHCI directly impacts the lives of more than 1,700 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships, congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program. CHCI NextOpp is its latest resource allowing young Latinos to save, search and share life-changing opportunities for Latinos across the United States.

CHCI is tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code. Federal ID # 52-1114225. CHCI does not attempt to influence legislation and does not employ or retain any registered lobbyists. All grants and contributions to CHCI are tax deductible to the extent permitted by federal law. Donations to CHCI may also be made through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) 30620.